Cowley Road Passion play off because it had no permit for crucifixion

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by Pete Hughes, Reporter covering Abingdon and Wantage, South Oxford and Kennington. Call me on 01865 425431

A PASSION play recreating the crucifixion of Christ has been cancelled because organisers did not have the correct council permission.

Those behind the Good Friday performance of the Passion of the Christ in Cowley Road, Oxford, say they had no choice but to scrap the event at short notice.

They claim it’s because a city council officer didn’t realise it was a religious event and said it could be committing an offence.

Mischa Richards plays Jesus in the play held on Cowley Road in 2012

The performance, organised by St Stephen’s House Theological college and SS Mary and John Church on Cowley Road, was first held in 2012, without a licence.

Some 200 people watched Mischa Richards, playing Jesus, haul a wooden cross from Cowley Road Methodist Church to SS Mary and John.

Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

“I think he thought it was a sex show, so he said it may be committing an offence.”

Rev Wolff added: “This is a case of the system tripping over its own shoe laces.”

SS Mary and John vicar Adam Romanis, above, said: “It’s very upsetting because so many people were looking forward to it.

“Someone said to me ‘you can’t hold a crucifixion these days without a licence’.”

Rev Romanis said the church contacted the police earlier this month to inform them it was going ahead but were told they would be committing an offence without a licence to hold a public event.

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He said: “The health and safety culture can interfere with things people have always done and never thought would be a problem.”

He said the first event was stewarded and had not disrupted traffic.
Organisers from St Stephen’s put a notice on their website on Saturday that stated: “With great disappointment and frustration, the organisers sadly have to announce that the 2014 performance of the Cowley Road Passion Play has had to be cancelled.
“This is due to an intractable situation which developed with the city council events planning department and the local police.”Thames Valley Police spokesman James Williams said: “TVP received a letter from the organisers of the event and responded to inform them they were required to apply to the local authorities for a highway closure and to complete an event notification form.”Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, said it granted permission for the event.
But Oxford City Council spokeswoman Louisa Dean said the application to the council came in “too late with limited information to enable the event to take place”.
Rev Romanis said the church will still perform the Stations of the Cross along Cowley Road on Friday morning, as it has done for 15 years, but it will be on a much lower scale than the original plan.

Easter tradition

The Passion Play is a dramatic performance of the Passion of the Christ, from the Latin meaning “suffering”, and follows his trial, crucifixion and death.
Passion Plays became popular in the Middle Ages and remained an Easter tradition into the 16th century.
Performers take the roles of Jesus, his disciples, Mary Magdalen, and Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
Last year’s Abingdon Passion Play, thought to be the first ever performed in the town, attracted hundreds of people.

Mel Gibson’s 2004 film adaptation, The Passion of the Christ, above, became highly controversial because of its drawn-out graphic violence.

No one was being targeted, and no person failed. Every single person involved in the process did their job to the best of their knowledge and ability, and with the best intention. The real message of this story is nothing to do with anybody banning any particular group. In fact, they had permission to go ahead on Monday morning - but by then it was too late. It's a perfect illustration of how administrative deadlines and complex systems the System itself (regardless of any individual) can - as I said - "trip over its own shoelaces".

No one was being targeted, and no person failed. Every single person involved in the process did their job to the best of their knowledge and ability, and with the best intention. The real message of this story is nothing to do with anybody banning any particular group. In fact, they had permission to go ahead on Monday morning - but by then it was too late. It's a perfect illustration of how administrative deadlines and complex systems the System itself (regardless of any individual) can - as I said - "trip over its own shoelaces".Dick Wolff

Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

And these people run the country!

Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.
And these people run the country!Az Cowley

Az Cowley wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

And these people run the country!

I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we

[quote][p][bold]Az Cowley[/bold] wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.
And these people run the country![/p][/quote]I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must weMajor Rhode-Werks

Az Cowley wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

And these people run the country!

I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we

THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.

I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...

[quote][p][bold]Major Rhode-Werks[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Az Cowley[/bold] wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.
And these people run the country![/p][/quote]I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we[/p][/quote]THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.
I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...King Joke

Az Cowley wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

And these people run the country!

I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we

THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.

I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...

Yes, you're probably right concerning the bacon/alcohol etc so I stand corrected. It just seemed to me impossible that someone couldn't recognise that a passion play at Easter is religious. Perhaps they thought "passion" referred to some sort of sex show then - oh, there I go again!!

[quote][p][bold]King Joke[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Major Rhode-Werks[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Az Cowley[/bold] wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.
And these people run the country![/p][/quote]I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we[/p][/quote]THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.
I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...[/p][/quote]Yes, you're probably right concerning the bacon/alcohol etc so I stand corrected. It just seemed to me impossible that someone couldn't recognise that a passion play at Easter is religious. Perhaps they thought "passion" referred to some sort of sex show then - oh, there I go again!!Major Rhode-Werks

Oxford City Council spokeswoman Louisa Dean said the application to the council came in “too late with limited information to enable the event to take place”.
We have computers, faxes, mobile phones etc., why was it too late? I hope you are paid a high salary Louisa, I can't imagine having to make up so many excuses day after day for this council.

Oxford City Council spokeswoman Louisa Dean said the application to the council came in “too late with limited information to enable the event to take place”.
We have computers, faxes, mobile phones etc., why was it too late? I hope you are paid a high salary Louisa, I can't imagine having to make up so many excuses day after day for this council.mytaxes

mytaxes wrote:
Oxford City Council spokeswoman Louisa Dean said the application to the council came in “too late with limited information to enable the event to take place”.
We have computers, faxes, mobile phones etc., why was it too late? I hope you are paid a high salary Louisa, I can't imagine having to make up so many excuses day after day for this council.

Once again, lame excuses. What WAS the real reason?

[quote][p][bold]mytaxes[/bold] wrote:
Oxford City Council spokeswoman Louisa Dean said the application to the council came in “too late with limited information to enable the event to take place”.
We have computers, faxes, mobile phones etc., why was it too late? I hope you are paid a high salary Louisa, I can't imagine having to make up so many excuses day after day for this council.[/p][/quote]Once again, lame excuses. What WAS the real reason?Major Rhode-Werks

It all depends on which sect of the various Christian religions you are affiliated with.

I'm with the Kirk* and have always referred to it as "Holy Week" - I'd never noted it being called "Passion Week" until I moved to Oxford.

(*Church of Scotland)

It all depends on which sect of the various Christian religions you are affiliated with.
I'm with the Kirk* and have always referred to it as "Holy Week" - I'd never noted it being called "Passion Week" until I moved to Oxford.
(*Church of Scotland)Andrew:Oxford

Az Cowley wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.

And these people run the country!

I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we

THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.

I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...

Seeing as all the Muslim Corner shops sell Bangers, Bacon and Booze, they obviously will not complain for fear of being branded hypocrites. But they must have missed the bit in The Quran about making money from Haram.

[quote][p][bold]King Joke[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Major Rhode-Werks[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Az Cowley[/bold] wrote:
Oxford City Councillor and United Reform Church pastor Dick Wolff said: “Unfortunately, one of the city council’s licensing officers didn’t recognise that a Passion play on Good Friday was a religious event.
And these people run the country![/p][/quote]I find that excuse hard to believe. More likely it was a way to stop the event for fear of upsetting the Muslims - mustn't offend them must we[/p][/quote]THere is no evidence for this MRW, and in all likelihood you are seeing something which is not there. This is an embarrassing co ck up, but a co ck up nonetheless.
I don't hold with organised religion personally, but as I understand it most UK muslims are more concerned with lack of religion altogether in the general populace than some of it following Christianity. At any rate, doesn't the Koran recognise Jesus as a prophet? Given the quantity of alcohol drunk, bacon sangers consumed and dogs walked up the Cowley Rd on a daily basis, I think if the Muslim community were going to be offended they would have told us by now...[/p][/quote]Seeing as all the Muslim Corner shops sell Bangers, Bacon and Booze, they obviously will not complain for fear of being branded hypocrites. But they must have missed the bit in The Quran about making money from Haram.The New Private Eye

HomerSimpsonDoh wrote:
I'm sure if it had been a muslim event it would have gone ahead. Once again Cristians being targeted in this country.

Indeed.

And Christians lol

[quote][p][bold]Oflife[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HomerSimpsonDoh[/bold] wrote:
I'm sure if it had been a muslim event it would have gone ahead. Once again Cristians being targeted in this country.[/p][/quote]Indeed.[/p][/quote]And Christians lolMajor Rhode-Werks

HomerSimpsonDoh wrote:
I'm sure if it had been a muslim event it would have gone ahead. Once again Cristians being targeted in this country.

Indeed.

And Christians lol

we are no longer a christian country sadly.

[quote][p][bold]Major Rhode-Werks[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Oflife[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HomerSimpsonDoh[/bold] wrote:
I'm sure if it had been a muslim event it would have gone ahead. Once again Cristians being targeted in this country.[/p][/quote]Indeed.[/p][/quote]And Christians lol[/p][/quote]we are no longer a christian country sadly.yabbadabbadoo256

I find it amusing that so many people are turning this issue into a Muslim v Christian matter. The bottom line is a licence was required for the event and it wasn't forthcoming. No need to play the religion card. Many people don't believe in religion and don't regard Easter as anything other than a nice long weekend. It's just the way of the world and anyway it's not a time for petty squabbling.

I find it amusing that so many people are turning this issue into a Muslim v Christian matter. The bottom line is a licence was required for the event and it wasn't forthcoming. No need to play the religion card. Many people don't believe in religion and don't regard Easter as anything other than a nice long weekend. It's just the way of the world and anyway it's not a time for petty squabbling.wend

Why was a licence needed? What offence would be committed? Crucifixion without permission? The story is a confused nonsense, a three-way tug of war between TVP, City and County Councils. No wonder the council tax is so high if they all have to employ jobsworths to process this nonsense paperwork.

Why was a licence needed? What offence would be committed? Crucifixion without permission? The story is a confused nonsense, a three-way tug of war between TVP, City and County Councils. No wonder the council tax is so high if they all have to employ jobsworths to process this nonsense paperwork.docs

docs wrote:
Why was a licence needed? What offence would be committed? Crucifixion without permission? The story is a confused nonsense, a three-way tug of war between TVP, City and County Councils. No wonder the council tax is so high if they all have to employ jobsworths to process this nonsense paperwork.

IT was nothing to do with 'offence being committed', something which is in the minds of posters on this forum. It is however nothing to do with the City Council. If the County decide it's OK from a traffic point of view, and the Bill decide it's OK from a public gathering point of view, then why is City permssion needed?

[quote][p][bold]docs[/bold] wrote:
Why was a licence needed? What offence would be committed? Crucifixion without permission? The story is a confused nonsense, a three-way tug of war between TVP, City and County Councils. No wonder the council tax is so high if they all have to employ jobsworths to process this nonsense paperwork.[/p][/quote]IT was nothing to do with 'offence being committed', something which is in the minds of posters on this forum. It is however nothing to do with the City Council. If the County decide it's OK from a traffic point of view, and the Bill decide it's OK from a public gathering point of view, then why is City permssion needed?King Joke

Surely this can be sorted in time for the play to go ahead - it sounds as though everyone is within a whisker of agreement. We've just had a brilliant Passion Play in Woodstock, as the Oxford Mail has reported, and it would be a great shame if Cowley Road missed out.

All the licensing things are very important and not just bureaucratic - we had an entire evening of health and safety checks and rightly so. But I'd be very surprised if the play offended anyone. The subjects raised are of interest to people of all faiths and none and the core one is that of a radical challenge to complacently established behaviour. Whatever your take on that, it is a great thing to discuss and debate.

Anti-semitism tarnished some Passion plays and other Christian traditions in mediaeval times, through over-playing the 'Jewishness' of the priests and underplaying that of Jesus and his disciples. I think that this, and the attendant scapegoating, is no longer an issue in modern times but if it is raised, it is also a topic very worthy of debate and an opportunity to challenge an old evil.

Here's hoping that goodwill and flexibility win the day, appropriately at Easter time.

Surely this can be sorted in time for the play to go ahead - it sounds as though everyone is within a whisker of agreement. We've just had a brilliant Passion Play in Woodstock, as the Oxford Mail has reported, and it would be a great shame if Cowley Road missed out.
All the licensing things are very important and not just bureaucratic - we had an entire evening of health and safety checks and rightly so. But I'd be very surprised if the play offended anyone. The subjects raised are of interest to people of all faiths and none and the core one is that of a radical challenge to complacently established behaviour. Whatever your take on that, it is a great thing to discuss and debate.
Anti-semitism tarnished some Passion plays and other Christian traditions in mediaeval times, through over-playing the 'Jewishness' of the priests and underplaying that of Jesus and his disciples. I think that this, and the attendant scapegoating, is no longer an issue in modern times but if it is raised, it is also a topic very worthy of debate and an opportunity to challenge an old evil.
Here's hoping that goodwill and flexibility win the day, appropriately at Easter time.MartinWainwright

Depressing that a story about officious bureaucracy is being hijacked by the bees-in-bonnet brigade to have a go at Muslims and wail that this "Christian country" is being betrayed. Or something.
Wake up and smell the coffee folks. We live in a secular culture. One of the gains of that is that any religion can be tolerated by secularists as we are equally indifferent to all of them. And we are amused at the ways in which people pick and choose - Muslim shopkeepers sell alcohol (shock horror) - and maybe Muslin chemists sell contraceptives to Catholics. Welcome to the 21st century.

Depressing that a story about officious bureaucracy is being hijacked by the bees-in-bonnet brigade to have a go at Muslims and wail that this "Christian country" is being betrayed. Or something.
Wake up and smell the coffee folks. We live in a secular culture. One of the gains of that is that any religion can be tolerated by secularists as we are equally indifferent to all of them. And we are amused at the ways in which people pick and choose - Muslim shopkeepers sell alcohol (shock horror) - and maybe Muslin chemists sell contraceptives to Catholics. Welcome to the 21st century.Bob Waugh

I agree with everything that Bob Waugh says. I bet there were few if any objections raised by Muslims. Cowley Road is hugely diverse and should remain so. Tolerance of others should be encouraged. Being of no particular religious belief I will use the long weekend going for walks, tending the garden and maybe a bit of DIY. Passion play for those who want it.

I agree with everything that Bob Waugh says. I bet there were few if any objections raised by Muslims. Cowley Road is hugely diverse and should remain so. Tolerance of others should be encouraged. Being of no particular religious belief I will use the long weekend going for walks, tending the garden and maybe a bit of DIY. Passion play for those who want it.wend

Yes quite. There is no conspiracy. In the battle between ****-up and conspiracy, you know there can only ever be one winner.

Besides which, all I said was 'That piece of fish was good enough for Jehovah!'

Yes quite. There is no conspiracy. In the battle between ****-up and conspiracy, you know there can only ever be one winner.
Besides which, all I said was 'That piece of fish was good enough for Jehovah!'King Joke

Doesn't the cultural ignorance of those in appointed authority who are ruining our society seem shameful?

Easter is a much more significant time for Christians than Christmas, yet such ignorance in authority is allowed to ruin its celebration.

Does the tolerance & diversity curriculum for councillor's need revising to overcome such ignorance of basic observance ?

Doesn't the cultural ignorance of those in appointed authority who are ruining our society seem shameful?
Easter is a much more significant time for Christians than Christmas, yet such ignorance in authority is allowed to ruin its celebration.
Does the tolerance & diversity curriculum for councillor's need revising to overcome such ignorance of basic observance ?AvaPlaint

While it may seem tempting to liken the actions of the City Council to those of the Romans, perhaps even offering them a role in next years Play, it rarely pays to attribute to malice that which may adequately be explained by incompetence, even when it may seem so.

While it may seem tempting to liken the actions of the City Council to those of the Romans, perhaps even offering them a role in next years Play, it rarely pays to attribute to malice that which may adequately be explained by incompetence, even when it may seem so.AvaPlaint

Now that it has been revealed that the Passion Play was banned by a Council official through complete ignorance it seems incredible to me that such a specimen has a job in the council in the first place. That official should be severely downgraded for being educationally well below par for any job with a decision making responsibility. Picking up litter or clearing drains would be a would be an appropriate position for a person of this low caliber. I would re-visit their CV and see what truth or lies are claimed within it.

Now that it has been revealed that the Passion Play was banned by a Council official through complete ignorance it seems incredible to me that such a specimen has a job in the council in the first place. That official should be severely downgraded for being educationally well below par for any job with a decision making responsibility. Picking up litter or clearing drains would be a would be an appropriate position for a person of this low caliber. I would re-visit their CV and see what truth or lies are claimed within it.brucklay227